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A lot of fans have been asking about the design of our upcoming Hordak figure. We asked the Horsemen to provide a little insight to pass along! Specifically, fans have asked about the design of Hordak's armor and why it was done as a half piece and not a full frontal peice of armor. Here is what Eric and Cornboy had to say:

HORSEMEN: "This aspect of the design was something that we put a lot of thought into. We weighed out a lot of options, taking into consideration things like accuracy, articulation, tooling expenses, removable vs. non removable armor, and how the choice will work throughout the line. In the end we chose to do a two piece armor system to preserve the overall look of the original while retaining a full range of motion.

We created a new armored lower torso that will be used on certain characters while we may use the more sculpted look of the muscled stomach on other figures with more fitted looking armor. We are going to use this system in a variety of ways that should make most people happy. In cases like this a lot of the decisions that we make in the design process come down to "which approach will make the most people happy." Of course we can never please 100% of the fans, but we can certainly keep trying."

- so there you have it! Look for Mer-Man on sale April 15th, Zodak in May and Hordak in June only available on MattyCollector.com!

So, do they mean "two-piece" as in it comes apart or as in there is another lower section of the armor that we've yet to see?

I just think it looks weird for Hordak to have this hard-looking armor on top and then what looks to be a black shirt covering his abs ... ?

I'll reserve judgement until I see it but characters like Mekaneck and Jitsu, etc. are going to look kinda strange with this "two-piece" system, if you ask me.

The ab-crunch articulation just seem like function over form for any character that wears full torso armor. Why hinder the look for almost the ENTIRE line for an articulation point that, IMO is pointless.

I was just reading this on Facebook. I'm glad that Toyguru and the 4H are keeping the lines of communication going like this! I can understand why they went with what they did. Initially it bothered me, but it's nothing to get miffed over. Keep up the good work 4H and Mattel!

The 25th Anniversary GI*JOE line went through this whole appearance vs. articulation circus. In the end, it was appearance that one out. I personally would be willing to live without ab crunch articulation in favor of more accurate looking armor. It’s just one point of articulation. I'll still buy it as it is though.

I’m also confused as to what this two-piece armor thing is all about. I hope that means there’s a second armor piece that goes over his abs. I also hope his entire upper torso is painted black, otherwise what’s the point of removable armor if he’s not going to display well without it.

Since I’m being so hopeful, I will add that I wish people would stop using phrases like “a vocal minority” on the internets; stating this doesn’t make your opinion stronger; especially if you have no real data to back it up.

In my opinion, they could have just given Hordak his abs; Man-at-Arms sports a mid tummy cut armor and he’s man at arms!! If he sais it’s the way to wear eternian armor who can argue with that??

I actually think the ab-crunch joint is really important. I use it in the posing of all my figures, and when I occasionally play with them too. It makes movements like rearing back to swing a sword look a lot more realistic. I'm glad they kept it for Hordak. I don't think the short armor takes away from the figure at all. Not anymore than losing the articulation. Besides, I really don't think it looks that bad.

What I am getting out of what the Horsemen said is that their are 2 pieces of armor. The Upper torso/chest part and the lower ab part. Both of which seem to be removable. I might be wrong but that's what I got out of it. Either way I'm still getting the figure!

What I am getting out of what the Horsemen said is that their are 2 pieces of armor. The Upper torso/chest part and the lower ab part.

But that doesn't fit the context in which the phrase "two piece armor system" was used. The full sentence reads: In the end we chose to do a two piece armor system to preserve the overall look of the original while retaining a full range of motion. So how is "a two piece armor system" consistent with the notion of preserving how the original figure looked? The original figure did not have an outer armor enveloping his upper torso and another inner armor protecting his midsection, so that can't be what they meant.

The original figure did have the following: (1) a front plate, and (2) a back plate, and they snapped onto each other; hence, a two-piece system. That must be what they're referring to with the term: there's a front and a back, separate pieces that attach together. As opposed to He-Man's armor for instance, which is one piece.

Still remembers we paid excessive shipping on Battleground Teela. Is confident Matty will resolve the issue and make it right for us.

But that doesn't fit the context in which the phrase "two piece armor system" was used. The full sentence reads: In the end we chose to do a two piece armor system to preserve the overall look of the original while retaining a full range of motion. So how is "a two piece armor system" consistent with the notion of preserving how the original figure looked? The original figure did not have an outer armor enveloping his upper torso and another inner armor protecting his midsection, so that can't be what they meant.

The original figure did have the following: (1) a front plate, and (2) a back plate, and they snapped onto each other; hence, a two-piece system. That must be what they're referring to with the term: there's a front and a back, separate pieces that attach together. As opposed to He-Man's armor for instance, which is one piece.

Do i understand it right, are under the (black shirt peace) lower torser muscels?

I hope so much to have a chance to see muscels where that black peace of **** is.

Do i understand it right, are under the (black shirt peace) lower torser muscels?

You got me. This new info was not 100% clear to me...BUT I'm getting a MOTUC Hordak so color me happy either way.

I THINK however what this means is there is a lower armor molded onto the figure. It looks to me like its just the lower abdomen painted black however...so I'm not sure. Need better pics and explanation to say anything for sure.

We need to let our new friends at Super 7 know that many of us are ALL IN COLLECTORS. We don't want products that are impossible for the average collector to have access to! If there is a He-man product, I want to buy it. Please no chases or con-only exclusives.